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Minnie Evans: Draw or Die

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Synopsis

Minnie Evans: Draw or Die explores the inspirational life and artistic mastery of one of the most important American, visionary artists of the 20th century. Minnie Evans, born in 1892, began drawing in 1935, compelled by dreams and the divine. The documentary — its title comes from a mysterious voice Evans heard asking, ""Why don't you draw or die?"" — coincides with a national resurgence of interest in Evans' work, with national touring museum exhibitions including the Whitney Museum of Art in New York where she was one of the first Black artists to have a solo exhibition. This documentary amplifies Evans’s unique voice through archived conversations with her friend, photographer, and art representative, Nina Howell Starr. In these recordings, Evans reflects on her divine purpose and the unrelenting drive that led her to create an estimated 3,000 works—using crayon and other media on found and donated materials. Much of her art was produced in the small gatehouse at Airlie Gardens, in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she worked for 27 years. Visually anchored in Evans’s vibrant compositions, the film weaves together archival imagery, Nina Starr’s photography, and sweeping views of the sunrises and coastal landscapes that inspired her.

Filmmaker Biography

Linda Royal (fka Linda Booker) directed, produced, and edited the film festival award-winning documentaries “STRAWS,” with narration by Tim Robbins, “Bringing It Home,” and “Love Lived on Death Row.” Her films have reached audiences worldwide through film festivals, educational distribution, community screenings, corporate offices, and in-flight entertainment. She has partnered with numerous organizations for grassroots advocacy and impact campaigns. Linda was the Director of Operations for the Sonoma International Film Festival in 2015-2016. She started By the Brook Productions after receiving a Certificate in Documentary Studies from Duke University in 2005. Before filmmaking, Linda was an Art Director and graphic designer for numerous publications in Florida and North Carolina.

STRAWS awards received:

  • Santa Cruz Film Festival, Spirit of Action Award
  • Cayman International Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement Award in Environmental Film
  • Rincon International Film Festival, Best Documentary Short

Bringing It Home awards received:

  • Jury Award, Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival
  • Director's Choice Award- Best Environmental Film
  • Sedona International Film Festival Best Environmental Documentary Award
  • Chagrin Documentary Film Festival - Honorable Mention

Schedule

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